1. (a) Issuance and renewal. The director may issue or renew accreditation under this section.

2. (b) Application. An applicant for full DPS accreditation shall complete and submit to the director a current form LAB-5 and attach copies of the following:

   1. (1) an accreditation certificate and letter of notification of accreditation from a recognized accrediting body; and
   2. (2) each document provided by the recognized accrediting body that identifies the discipline or subdiscipline for which the laboratory has received accreditation and any limitation or restriction regarding that accreditation.
3. (c) Additional information. The director may require additional information to properly evaluate the application either as part of the original application or as supplemental information.

4. (d) Reports to director.

   1. (1) If accredited by ASCLD/LAB, a laboratory shall provide the director with a copy of each Annual Accreditation Review Report. If accredited by another recognized accrediting body, a laboratory shall provide the director with a copy of each equivalent annual accreditation assessment document. The copy shall be submitted to the director at the same time that it is due to the recognized accrediting body.
   2. (2) A laboratory shall provide the director with a copy of correspondence and each report or communication between the laboratory and the recognized accrediting body. The laboratory shall submit the copy to the director no later than 30 days after the date the laboratory receives or transmits the correspondence, report, or communication.

   3. (3) A laboratory that discontinues a specific forensic discipline or subdiscipline:

      1. (A) if known beforehand, should submit written notification to the director at least 30 days before the effective date of the discontinuation; or
      2. (B) if unknown beforehand, shall submit written notification to the director at least 5 business days after the effective date of the discontinuation.
5. (e) Federal forensic laboratories. A federal forensic laboratory is deemed to be accredited by the director without application provided that the laboratory is accredited by a recognized accrediting body as provided under §28.144 of this title (relating to List of Recognized Accrediting Bodies). A laboratory deemed accredited is not subject to the reporting requirements of this subchapter or the processes provided under Subchapter J of this chapter (relating to Complaints, Special Review, and Administrative Action).

Source Note:The provisions of this §651.8 adopted to be effective June 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 4438; transferred effective September 1, 2015, as published in the Texas Register July 31, 2015, 40 TexReg 4907.